Sault Tribe’s Board of Directors

The governing body of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is the Board of Directors. There are 12 board members and one chairperson who are all elected into office.

The board members represent the five units of the tribe’s service area in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Five board members represent Unit I, two board members represent Unit II, two board members represent Unit III, two board members represent Unit IV, and one board member represents Unit V. The chairperson is elected at large and serves as a member of the board.

Following each election, the board of directors selects from within its membership a vice chairperson, a treasurer and a secretary.

Board Terms

Board terms are four years. Elections are held every two years and half of the board seats are up for election during each cycle, with the chairperson seat up for election every four years.

Board Meetings

Regular meetings are held twice a month, usually on Tuesday. A Board Calendar is released each year.

All regular meetings start at 5 p.m. with an open community hour for public comments from 5 to 6 p.m.

Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or by majority vote of the board of directors. In the event a special meeting is called, an official announcement will be released.

General meetings, special meetings and workshops are open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Tribal members, to join meetings by Zoom, see: https://www.saulttribe.com/membership-services/membership-assistance

Meeting Notices & Resolutions

The board publishes an annual calendar. Public notices for board meeting are announced five days prior to the meeting, detailing agenda topics and provide the date, time and location of the meetings.

On the website, meeting announcements are posted under the events menu. For meeting agendas, draft resolutions and approved resolutions, please visit the Downloads section of this page. Resolution and voting records for each meeting are posted on the website as soon as they are signed.

Membership Session

Open community sessions are held prior to each tribal board meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. Tribal members who wish to share an issue with the board of directors during membership sessions should complete a membership participation form, which is available at the meeting.

If a member’s issue is sensitive, the board may ask the member to present the issue in a closed session.